OFAC sanctions program

Drug Kingpin & Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions

The narcotics trafficking program (SDNTK) designates significant foreign narcotics traffickers and their networks. Designated parties are added to the SDN list and their property is blocked.

Program at a glance

Program codeSDNTK
Legal authorityForeign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act); EO 12978
ScopeNarcotics
Designation volumeApproximately 2,000+ SDN designations

Who and what it targets

Drug cartels, their financiers and money launderers, and associated front companies. Major designations have included Latin American cartels and fentanyl trafficking networks.

Relevance to AI agents

Narcotics designations include extensive financial-network entries (money launderers, front companies). Agents handling cross-border payments should screen against SDNTK, especially for Latin America-connected counterparties.

Screening note. A counterparty program match is not always a blanket block — the program tag tells your agent how to route the hit (hard block for terrorism/embargo, review-required for sectoral, etc.). SanctionsAI returns the program code on every match.

Frequently asked questions

What does SDNTK stand for?

Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers — the OFAC program tag for narcotics-related designations under the Kingpin Act.

Are narcotics sanctions relevant to crypto agents?

Yes. Narcotics money laundering increasingly uses crypto rails, and SDNTK designations include wallet addresses tied to trafficking networks.

Compliance disclaimer. This page is educational and not legal advice. Program scope and current general licenses must be confirmed against the live OFAC programme page and, where relevant, by a qualified professional.

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